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Pokémon Fan Fiction
The Adventures on the Crimson Isles
Rated 'M' for Language, Violence, and Suggestive Themes
Chapter 8: Aboard the S.S. Vulcan
Having earned his second Crimson Isles Gym Badge, the Bone Badge, Ash and his friends depart Corvus Village, leaving their anxiety behind on the Gloomy Isle. On their voyage to the Miner's Isle, the trio will take part in a Pokémon Tournament, as well as meet the fourth, and final addition to their squad. Enjoy!
I am not affiliated with Pokémon, GameFreak, or Nintendo
Thanks to my beta reader, Wolf.
Gloomy Isle - Corvus Village
When Ash awoke at ten thirty the next morning, he lay still for a couple of seconds before remembering what had happened last night.
He was Serena's boyfriend. Serena was his girlfriend.
The thought brought a smile to his face and he rolled over to look at the honey-blonde. Her short purrs of exhalation brought waves of calm to Ash, and he noticed she was beginning to stir. He quickly tried straightening his bedhead, but was caught in the act.
"Well, someone's trying to impress," Serena teased. Upon seeing her boyfriend's cheeks redden, she giggled.
Ash smiled and stopped pawing at his hair. "Good morning beautiful," he said hoarsely.
"Aww, that's sweet," Serena replied with a smile. "Three years it's been since I met you, and just like that, the Ash I knew is gone overnight." She threw her sheets off and hopped onto Ash's bed, and the raven-haired Trainer yelped.
"What?" Serena said, jumping back. "You seriously didn't think..."
Ash's face was bright red, and he muttered, "needa wait for the, uh...wood, to uh...go down."
Serena cocked her head in confusion, but when Ash nodded between his legs, it was her turn to redden. She slapped him lightly and scolded, "Ash, that's foul!"
She leapt off the bed and gathered her clothes. "I'm getting in the shower," she declared, but quickly ran back to Ash to give him a peck on the cheek.
Ash grinned awkwardly until the door behind Serena closed and locked. Then he let out a loud exhale. After all, he didn't want to scare Serena away with his bad breath.
Then he heard a squealing snicker from between the beds. Ash looked down to see that Pikachu was wide awake and roaring with laughter. The raven-haired trainer smacked him, but the threatening jolt of electricity that zapped up his arm made him stop, and Pikachu shrieked even louder.
"What?" Ash demanded.
Pikachu seemed to reign in his hollering, then he threw himself back in a mock startling, clearly teasing Ash. Then he prodded the area between his legs and whatever psychological dam holding back his laughter before, broke, and he fell into a frenzied mess of howling once more.
Ash lunged at his partner, but was once again kept at bay by Pikachu's crackling cheeks. Eventually he joined his Mouse Pokémon in the laughter, and they began play fighting and wrestling.
When Serena emerged five minutes later, it was quite the sight to behold. The raw bond between the two was uncomparable. As Ash entered the bathroom to take his shower, she wondered if they would ever reach a point in their relationship where emotion was almost a physical thing you could see. Where it was evident in every smile, every hand clasp, every kiss, every embrace. Where their love was undeniable, and to think otherwise was simply laughable.
Her thoughts carried her up until its subject emerged from the bathroom, his cap atop his unruly mess of dark locks. He put his elbow out, and asked a formal, "Shall we?"
Serena giggled and grabbed his hand instead, and together, they departed for Iris's room.
When they arrived, before Ash could even land a knuckle on the door, it swung open, and Iris crashed into them.
"Woah, enough with the fan-coupling. I know I'm a cool Champion and all, but I don't need you right outside my door. Sheesh!"
The couple laughed, and the trio went downstairs to the cafeteria for brunch. After a hearty meal of various food groups, and in Ash's case, size, they checked out of the Pokémon Center, and entered Corvus Village's blissfully dreary atmosphere.
"I'm gonna miss this place," Ash declared, surveying the awakening Village.
"Agh, forget Team Pluto though," Iris snorted.
"Agreed," Serena added.
The trio departed Corvus Village in high spirits, and their trek through Blackrock Woods wasn't nearly as unpleasant as before. At least they didn't have to worry about being attacked by Lilith, who was now, as far as they knew, dead, but the group stayed away from that topic. Merry conversation carried them all the way back to Blackshark Bay, and when they emerged from the dense trees and foliage atop the hill overlooking the pier, they were met with a truly magnificent sight.
Listing in the water was a stark white cruise liner, emblazoned with what looked like ancient runes in vibrant red paint. In crimson lettering on the bow of the ship was its name.
"The S.S. Vulcan," Serena breathed.
The trio marveled at its sleek design, until they noticed the handful of teenage kids peppered across the hill. Iris caught snippets of their conversations.
"...heard it's the biggest cruise ship in the world!"
"...one billion dollars just to get on!"
"...owned by the Pokémon Professor!"
"...Pokémon battles onboard! I know, right!"
Ash could only gape at the grand liner. He couldn't possibly fathom how Iris hooked them up with this sweet deal, but he eventually decided that being a Champion really did have its perks. He could only imagine what they told her when she beat Alder.
"And remember, now that you're Champion, you have access to the official Pokémon Master bank account, and can use as much as you want, whenever you want it. Also, we hope to see you at our 'Champions Only' mega-party. It's on the moon, and apps are being served at five!"
He continued thinking about Iris's life of luxury, until Serena's hand yanked his out of his thoughts.
"C'mon Ash, we're gonna be late if you keep daydreaming!" Serena scolded. She yanked his hand again, and they followed Iris down the hill, carefully avoiding the people sitting below them. When they got to the bottom, a suited shiphand ushered them up the gangplank and onto the ship. Ash didn't even bother looking back at everyone on the hill because he didn't want to feel guilty.
The S.S. Vulcan left Blackshark Bay at exactly twelve o'clock.
Ocean - S.S. Vulcan
"Ladies and gentlemen, please find your ways to the Battle Hall now! The Vulcan Tournament will begin momentarily!" A young man's voice boomed from speakers throughout the ship.
The trio quickly found themselves a map before proceeding the the Battle Hall. The ship was packed; Ash guessed at least one thousand passengers. The ornate doors to the Battle Hall were open, and floods of people, mostly young adolescents dressed in expensive clothes poured into the Battle Hall. Ash, Serena, and Iris joined the crowd, though they were probably the only ones aboard that didn't even know why they were going in.
Their questions were answered when they noticed the polished floor beneath them had turned into the sandy ground of a battlefield. Registrations for the Vulcan Tournament were being held at desks at the far end of the battlefield, and eventually, the three found themselves there after wading through hordes of people. When they arrived at a desk, they found themselves faced with a handsome dark-skinned boy.
"Name?" he asked, and Ash noticed he was the same voice from the speakers.
However, when the boy looked up, his eyes widened.
"My, my. Ash Ketchum...on my ship..."
Ash grinned awkwardly. "Uh, yeah, that's me."
The boy stood from his chair and leaned forward, offering a handshake. "Hayden Hickory. Such a pleasure to finally meet you."
Ash accepted the handshake. "But, how do you know me?"
Hayden laughed. "Very few have saved the world as many times of you have, amigo. Your name is quite well-known, at least throughout the Crimson Isles. The red-capped boy and his faithful Pikachu!"
Pikachu blushed and scurried into atop Ash's head.
"Yeah, that's my buddy Pikachu. By the way, what's this about a tournament? See, we booked this ship just as a means to travel to Miner's Isle, but if there's a tournament to join, we're all in!"
Hayden frowned. "You...booked this ship...just to get to Miner's Isle? That...you must have deep pockets, amigo. And I mean...deep."
Iris stepped forward. "I...uh...we have pretty rich parents."
Hayden turned to the violet-haired Dragon Master, and looked her up and down.
"There is no need to lie, Champion Iris."
Iris yelped, but it didn't seem loud in the cacophony of noise in the Battle Hall. "How-How did you know I was a Champion?! You must be a part of Team Pluto!"
Hayden put his hands up in defense. "My father is the Pokémon Professor Hickory. He was notified of Unova's Champion change, and he showed me a picture of you. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, señorita."
Iris blushed lightly. "So can I join the, um, thing," she pointed to the tablet on the table in front of Hayden?"
"I suppose I could allow it. Normally a Trainer of your position would never be admitted into the tournament, but since you're not technically a Champion yet, you may join."
Iris grinned. "Alright! Ash and Serena, you're going down!"
"I don't think so!" Serena said, lunging forward in front of Ash. "Sorry, I'm Serena, and I'm nothing special yet, but once I head back to Kalos, I'll become Kalos Queen!"
"The girlfriend of Ash Ketchum is not special?" Hayden joked and turned to the raven-haired Trainer. "This one has high standards!"
Serena giggled as she filled out the form on Hayden's tablet, then Ash stepped forward.
"Now, my turn," he said, his hands whizzing across the tablet's screen as he filled out his information. When he was done, he stood back and joined his friends.
"I bid you all good luck in the Tournament," Hayden called. "I'm sure you'll like the prize!"
Ash had started to ask what the prize was, but another group of Trainers had already swamped Hayden, most likely glad that the holdup was finally over.
The trio found their way to the waiting room for contestants, and talked amongst themselves, until Hayden's voice once again echoed across the Battle Hall.
"Welcome, young Trainers! I am Hayden Hickory, your host, and welcome to the eleventh Vulcan Tournament, here on the grand S.S. Vulcan. Without further ado, I ask you to turn your gaze towards the big screen.
Although they were in the waiting room, the trio could still hear Hayden's voice, and a screen mounted into the wall quickly powered on to display what the big screen was showing outside.
The portraits of thirty-two contestants swirled into view, then they shuffled themselves up, and the first sixteen matchups were given.
Ash quickly found himself and his friends' faces, and noticed they were all paired up with strangers. Ash located his opponent in the waiting room, and they exchanged a determined eye-lock.
"Now, for our first matchup, can we put our hands together for the master Bug Catcher Janet, and aspiring Pokémon Performer Serena!"
An attendant in the waiting room called Janet and Serena forward.
"Good luck beautiful," Ash smiled, placing a warm kiss on his girlfriend's nose. Serena blushed and gave Ash one last hug, before she followed Janet outside into the Battle Hall.
She was met with a chorus of cheering, and noticed that the stands were actually right above the waiting room. The big screen was inlaid in the wall on her left, and Hayden stood in his announcer's box across on the opposite wall.
The two girls took their places on the battlefield, and a referee emerged from beneath Hayden's chamber.
"This will be a one-on-one match between Janet and Serena!" The referee's voice echoed throughout the Hall. "The battle will be over when either side is unable to continue! Contestants, please release your Pokémon!"
Janet smiled, and detached a Net Ball from her waist. "Beedrill, leeet's gooo!"
The Poison Bee Pokémon materialized onto the battlefield, and Serena's heart sank. Attached between Beedrill's eyes, shaped to look like a third, was the yellow luster of a Beedrillite. Beedrill hissed at the crowd's roar, waving its sharp stingers in a pose.
"Oh my!" Hayden exclaimed. "It looks as though Beedrill can Mega Evolve! Let's see if Serena has a Pokémon to counter!"
"I have just the thing," Serena thought as she deployed her own Pokémon. Delphox appeared in a glorious rush of embers, and the crowd roared again.
"And Serena shows us her Fire-type Pokémon, Delphox!" Hayden yelled. "I wonder what will win, Mega Evolution or type advantage!"
"Battle begin!"
"Now, Beedrill, Mega Evolve!" Janet called. She tapped her bracelet, and tendrils of light connected it and the Mega Stone on Beedrill together. A crackling sphere expanded from the Beedrillite until it encased the entirety of the Poison Bee Pokémon. Then the sphere shattered and Mega Beedrill was revealed. The insignia of Mega Evolution hovered above the Poison Bee Pokémon, before it wavered and disappeared.
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheering, but Serena wasted no time in giving her first attack. One of the numerous things she'd learned from Ash, was the importance of the first move.
"Delphox, Flamethrower!"
"Dodge!"
Mega Beedrill blitzed to the side as the Flamethrower attack whipped past.
"Now Beedrill, Poison Jab!"
"Stop it with Psychic!"
The battle progressed as Ash watched from the screen in the waiting room. Mega Beedrill seemed to be slowly gaining the upperhand with its vast speed and attack, but, five minutes after the battle had begun, a final Fire Blast took it out. The crowd cheered, and Serena waved back proudly as Delphox shot graceful arcs of fire into the air.
When Serena re-entered the waiting room, Ash immediately embraced her in a warm hug, and they shared a kiss. The couple ignored the mutterings of "get a room" from various Trainers in the room as their
"That was awesome Serena," Ash said, pulling back. "You took out a Mega Evolved Pokémon, in one hit!"
"Well, Mega Beedrill is pretty frail," Iris said pessimistically. "But great job!"
Hayden's announcer's box appeared back on the screen and the Trainers in the room listened attentively.
"Excellent match by Janet and Serena, but now we turn to our next matchup! I invite Kate and Larry out into the Battle Hall!"
The two Trainers left the waiting room and the match quickly commenced thereafter, with a Weezing and a Furfrou.
Four more matches followed until Iris faced up against a Magnezone with her Fraxure. Then they progressed to the next round where Ash, Serena, and Iris all defeated their respective opponents. Then in the quarter-finals, Serena was knocked out by a vicious Hippowdon, but Ash and Iris progressed. They both made it through the semifinals, which meant that the last round would be between Ash and Iris.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our finalists!" Hayden bellowed as said finalists made their way to the appropriate spots on the battlefield.
"With over fifty Gym Badges, and five years of Pokémon battling under his belt, let's hear it for Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!" The crowd roared, but Hayden got them to quiet down as he continued. "Having tamed many a fierce Dragon-type, and having earned the eight Gym Badges of Unova herself, give it up for Iris!" Again, the crowd erupted into chaos, but Hayden silenced them. "This match will determine the eleventh winner of the Vulcan Tournament, so without further ado...contestants, deploy your Pokémon! Good luck to you both!"
Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder and growled, static dripping from his cheeks. Fraxure was released from its Pokéball, and it bellowed out to the audience, who cheered back even louder.
"This will be a one-on-one match featuring Ash and Iris. The battle will be over when either side is unable to continue."
"Ready to lose, kid?" Iris taunted.
"Once hell freezes over!" Ash retorted.
"I'd better stop teasing you or Serena'll think I'm flirting!"
"And I'd better stop before she blames me for letting you!"
The referee stepped forward. "Battle, begin!"
~ Pokémon Trainer Ash V.S. Pokémon Trainer Iris ~
"Pikachu, Iron Tail, let's go!" Ash called.
"Fraxure, use Dragon Claw!"
The two Trainer's yelled their attacks at the same time, and their Pokémon clashed, draconic energy against steel. Both had sustained minimal damage.
"Alright Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Dodge, and use Dragon Rage!"
Electricity engulfed Pikachu, and he let out a devastating bolt of lightning at the Axe Jaw Pokémon, who deftly jumped away at the last second. Then Fraxure inhaled, then expelled the attack, indigo blue draconic energy roaring towards Pikachu. The Mouse Pokémon was hit head on, and he went flying.
"Pi-kaaa!" It wailed in agony.
"Pikachu, get up!"
Iris laughed. "My, my Ash. You seem a bit out of practice! Fraxure, follow up with Dragon Claw!"
A green claw of dragon energy glowed into existence around Fraxure's own hand, and he lunged at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack to dodge!"
The Mouse Pokémon bounded to the side in a flash of white light just as Fraxure brought its Dragon Claw down on the spot where it'd been moments ago. Pikachu rebounded and slammed into Fraxure, sending them both sprawling.
"Now, Iron Tail!"
Pikachu's tail flashed silver, and it swatted Fraxure back to the other side of the battlefield.
"Frax...ure," it groaned as it lifted itself to its feet.
"Fraxure, use Dragon Rage again!" Iris commanded.
Another blast of draconic energy tore from Fraxure's gaping jaws, and hit Pikachu again before it had time to react.
"Pikachu, no!" Ash cried as his partner was thrown back again. "Get up, and use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu leapt to its feet, despite the damage it'd taken, and fired off another arc of electricity. It hit its mark and arced across Fraxure.
"Now, follow up with Electro Ball!"
"Dodge!"
A crackling orb of electricity gathered at the tip of Pikachu's tail, and he launched it towards the Axe Jaw Pokémon. Fraxure rolled to the side and the ball of gold sailed into the far wall.
"Now Fraxure, let's stop playing around! Clean 'em up with Giga Impact!"
Fraxure nodded with a smirk, and jumped up. Energy swirled and spiraled around it in shades of white and purple. Then, the Axe Jaw Pokémon descended on Pikachu like an asteroid from space. Sand and smoke spewed from the battlefield, and when it cleared, Pikachu was left in a huge crater, unconscious.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Fraxure wins, which means the match goes to Iris!"
Applause filled the Battle Hall and Ash noticed Hayden emerging onto the battlefield, a shiphand pushing a cart close behind him.
"Excellent, excellent battle by both of our finalists! Though they fought hard, only one was victorious! Amigos! Please give it up again for Dragon Master Iris!" Hayden looked directly at Iris. "She really is a champ, wouldn't you agree?" The crowd went wild, but Hayden quieted them.
"Now, as the winner of the Vulcan Tournament, our victor, Iris, will have a selection of prizes to choose from." Hayden motioned towards the cart, which held eighteen different Pokéballs, arranged in six rows of three.
"These here, are the starter Pokémon of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos, bred and raised by my very own father, the esteemed Professor Hickory. Iris will be allowed to choose one to join her on her adventures on the Crimson Isles and beyond!" He paused. "So who will she choose? A calm, but fierce Grass-type such as Bulbasaur, Chickorita, Treeko, Turtwig, Snivy, or Chespin? Or will she select a hot headed and loyal Charmander, Cyndaquil, Torchic, Chimchar, Tepig, or Fennekin? Or perhaps a cool, but collected Water-type like Squirtle, Totodile, Mudkip, Piplup, Oshawott, or Froakie?"
Iris seemed to be pondering her decision, but after a few silent seconds, she quietly asked Hayden for the microphone.
"I won't accept a Pokémon," she said.
The crowd gasped and began muttering loudly.
"I want to give this opportunity to Ash," she continued, and the raven-haired Trainer looked up, a smile evident on his face.
"I'm not really looking for a new Pokémon right now, but if I happen to find a Dragon-type, I'll certainly catch that!" The crowd laughed at that.
Hayden accepted the mic back from Iris. "A most noble gesture indeed Iris! Very well then Ash, you may come forth to select your Pokémon.
Ash stepped forward and eyed each Pokéball, muttering to himself as he did. After an entire minute, he picked one and held up. "I choose you!"
Hayden began clapping. "Excellent choice amigo! Let's hear it one last time for our two finalists of the eleventh Vulcan Tournament!"
The stands erupted into a cacophony of cheering as Ash and Iris headed back to the waiting room to meet up with Serena.
When they arrived, Serena surged forward and locked Ash in a deep kiss.
"Get a room!" Iris squawked, and the couple broke apart, blushing at each other.
The trio departed the Battle Hall, and was wading through the crowd of people towards the door when they heard a voice calling out from behind them.
"Ash! Iris! Serena!" It was Hayden, and they wheeled around and waited for him to catch up. Once he did, he started speaking again. "If I could implore, I'd like a word with you three."
They exchanged a glance, but came to the general consensus that he could, of course, talk with them. Hayden smiled and pulled out a small remote. Without a moment's hesitation, he pressed it, and the four of them disappeared from the Battle Hall.
When their vision cleared, they found themselves in a neat and tidy office, presumably Hayden's.
"Woah," Ash said, feeling his arms. "Did you just teleport us using that thing?"
Hayden nodded. "I was wondering..." He began pacing the office. "You see, I've been cooped up on this ship for far too long, and I wanted to travel across the Crimson Isles." He turned back to the trio. "And what better way to do so, than to do so with friends?"
Ash seemed to catch his drift and started nodding frantically. "If you're asking if you can come or not, I say yes! It'd be awesome to have the son of a Pokémon Professor traveling with us!"
"The more the merrier, as they say," Serena added with a chuckle.
Hayden turned to Iris, who still hadn't said anything. The Dragon Master seemed to notice all eyes on her, and she quickly looked up. "What? Oh yes! Yes, yes! Come along!"
Hayden frowned. "I see you're troubled by Team Pluto. But I assure you, I am a part of no such terror group."
Iris smiled. "Even if you were, I doubt you'd tell us." They laughed at that, and Hayden led them back to the bow.
"As thanks, I'll have the chefs prepare a meal just for the four of us. My treat to you," Hayden said merrily.
"Oh Hayden, I really don't think-" Serena began, but she was cut off by a furious shaking of Hayden's head.
"Nonsense. I'll be on the bridge on five thirty, so find me there when you're all ready," he said. "Until then, have a good time aboard the Vulcan." Then Hayden departed, and the trio was left with poolside relaxation.
They all took a nap under the sun, and it drained them, though at the same time, it also rejuvenated them. At five o'clock, they went their separate ways to shower and get ready, and by five fifteen, they'd regrouped and headed up to the bridge together. The stairwell up to the bridge was steep and narrow, and Iris insisted Ash go first so that he didn't get any "fancy ideas."
Two buff security guards were stationed outside the bridge's entrance, and they quickly walked over to the trio.
"Something wrong?" One asked, cracking his knuckles.
"You look lost...kids," the second one growled.
"Excuse me, but Hayden-" Iris started.
"That's Captain to you!" The first one roared.
"Stand down Travis!" Hayden's voice rang from behind them. The trio wheeled around to find that he'd dressed in an expensive tuxedo.
The guard named Travis stepped back. "Boss, they were trying to break into-"
"That's enough Travis. I invited them here," Hayden said, his voice flat and menacing. "You really must stop seeing the worst in people, and begin to see the good."
Travis and his partner stepped aside and Hayden unlocked the door behind them. He motioned for the trio to follow, and when they entered, it took their breaths away.
The fall wall of the bridge, facing the bow, was all window. The sight was incredible; the orange sky, and the shadowy mass of Miner's Isle in sight.
"We'll arrive in another hour," Hayden said, his sights also transfixed on the window. "Until then, I suppose we should enjoy our meal."
"Hayden," Iris began. "This is...amazing."
"I thought you'd like that."
The four teens had dug into the food, and were chatting happily, dish by dish being eaten, with two more to take its place. While munching on an elegant salmon roll nicknamed the "Mew Roll", Ash started questioning Hayden about his father's work.
"So Hayden, I know the other professors like to focus more on one particular study of Pokémon, so your father must like to focus on one thing too."
Hayden wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Yes, funny you should ask. He actually does focus on one particular subject. That subject is what he likes to call pre-existence. He is working to understand what came before Arceus's birth. Before it created the universe and everything that now exists in it today."
"And has he made any headway," Iris asked.
Hayden chuckled. "Not any large headway. He has a few theories, but they're all too crazy to think about. And he doesn't have much evidence to work with, as you can imagine. But...wait have you heard of Top Amulet?"
The trio nodded.
"Yes, well my father is working with them, and I think they're close to finding something. Just a month ago, my father stumbled across an incredibly ancient artifact, and he's been analyzing it nonstop, running all sorts of tests and diagnostics."
"What was the artifact?" Ash asked, fully engaged in the story.
"An Omega Crystal."
Next - Chapter 9: Top Amulet
Author's Note
Ignore lame battle with Iris. Ignore lame cliffhanger. Ignore lame chapter -.-
PLEASE TAKE THE POLL ON MY PROFILE TO DECIDE WHAT STARTER ASH CHOSE. Of course, if there isn't enough diversity, I'll just choose myself.
Anyways, it occurred to me that I should add ages, so here goes.
Ash, Serena, and Iris are all fifteen. Hayden is eighteen. There, done.
Anyways, keep those reviews coming, and thanks to everyone reading, following and favoriting. You guys are awesome.
Subject 666
